The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-08-13

possible, and even mentioned II TO me.
| told her to pay NO attention TO him.
and determined to keep my eye on the
man. Day after day went by. and the
German seemed to grow more and
more surly.
by Thanksgiving Day we had
rounded the Cape Of Good Hope and
were beating up the Indian ocean. ]
had long ago surrendered to Miss Mel
lie. and was never happy unless ]
could see her beautiful face. She was
a born sailor, and as she stood ON the
poop swaying her 1.-the body to the roll
Of the ship. her delicate form outlined
through her skirts as the wind pressed
them against her, her eyes bright and
the rosy tints of health coloring her
usually colorless cheeks, she seemed
to me the fairest creature in the world.
She was always watching the alba.
tross that wheeled and sailed around
the ship One day offered to catch
one for her. and bending . stout hook
to a piece Of strong lead line, we threw
1t overheard and soon had q big one
on deck. WANTED to kill it and tan
the skin, but she would not hear Of
harming it.
Christmas day We were about sixty
miles to the eastward Of Madagascar.
Miss Nellie and l had spent most Of the
morning trying to catch an old gray
albatross that must have sailed around
the ocean for twenty years, and whose
wings would measure thirteen feet
across. But he was too sharp for US
The bats we had thrown attracted a
couple of big sharks, that slowly swan
around and around the big ship search
ing for food, but never touching the
baited hook. Eight bells struck and !
was relieved, and as went toward the
cabin door l met the big German COM
ing to the wheel The wind had died
out and the sails Slated against the
masts with the send of every sea.
Leaving Miss N ellie still fishing for
her albatross, turned in.
l had barely fallen asleep when
heard warning shout followed by a
piercing scream in voice I knew too
well. For a minute I was paralyzed.
My heart stood still and my blood
seemed turned to ice. A splash. fol-
lowed by a heavy plunge, brought
me to my feet and as ! rushed to the
deck the sharp crack Of q rife rang
out. Preached the poop and looked
vainly for Nellie. She was nowhere to
be seen. Her father, trembling in
every limb, stood with a smoking rife
in his hands, the second mate was low
ering boat, and in the air could be
seen the huge albatross, struggling as
though unable to fly, despite the rapid
movement of his powerful wings. ]
sprang to the rail, and there saw Miss
Nellie struggling in the water, while
tied to her waist was the heavy line
with which she had been fishing, while
the hook was firmly caught in the web
foot of the big albatross. Twenty feet
away, his sheath-knifc between his
teeth, was the big German, who. with
pc werful strokes, was making his way
toward the drowning girl, who was
being slowly dragged through the wa
ter by the frantic bird. The ship had
slo WHY forged through the water, and
they were nearly hundred yards
astorn. Would the boat never reach
them? Just as the boat shot astern a
cry was heard, followed by "A
shark! A sharkw Like knife the
straight black fin cut through the
water as the great fish darted on the
girl. The boat was fifty feet away.
The German saw the fish just as he
the girl. What would he doP
Leave her and save HIMSELF Casting
one look at the shark, he threw his
arm around the girls neck, pressed
one mad kiss on her lips,
and, with a yell Of fury turned
toward the shark. The fin seemed
not ten feet away. For an instant
the knife cleaned in the air. and, lift
ing himself half out of the water, the
German plunged down almost on top
Of the monster. A second more and
the boat reached the girl; one stroke
severed the cord, and the senseless
form was tenderly lifted into the boat.
The men turned to look for the Ger
man. There was no need. The deep
red that stained the surface where he
made his last gallant plunge told too
plainly Of his end. He fought for love
md died, and to-day Nellie, now my
wife. guards jealousy the rough sea
chest that once belonged to the big.
curly sailor who gave his life for hers"
Herald.